Motive: Unknown is a story that’s been with me for about five years now. It spent some time on the back burner, but I’ve been returning to it whenever I can find the time, and it’s been fun to rediscover the story with fresh perspective. Over the years, the book has changed direction a few times as the characters developed and clearer, stronger paths emerged.
The story is now mostly locked down. My current focus is editing, expanding a few sections that need more room to breathe, and trimming others that no longer serve the narrative. While the project was originally inspired by a film, it has since diverged sharply from that source. The opening still carries some resemblance, but the story quickly becomes its own, shaped by the characters and the decisions they’re forced to make. If all goes well, I’m hopeful Motive: Unknown will be ready for publication by February.
Below is the updated prologue. This version reflects the tone and direction the story ultimately took and is intended to better set up the themes and character choices that follow.
